Derbyshire news in brief

The £35,000 investment means homes and businesses are better protected from the risk of burst water pipes.

John Springett, Severn Trent programme engineer, said: “We’ve listened to people’s feedback and acted to help in Alfreton.

“Residents were worried that our roadworks could cause disruption to the Remembrance Day service on Sunday. With that in mind, we worked as quickly as we could to make sure the water pipes were in place and the roadworks were clear in time. To get the work done as quickly as possible, we used a new technique called pipe bursting, which bursts the old pipe out of the way and puts a new one in its place. We’re really grateful for the local community’s patience and we hope that the work will bring benefits for years to come.”

• Chesterfield Borough Council has approved a draft report on the future of playing pitches in the area. The strategy looks at protecting, enhancing and developing the borough’s pitches over the next 15 years. Councillor Amanda Serjeant, the council’s executive member for leisure, culture and tourism said: “In developing this report we have worked closely with Sport England and in particular local sports clubs to determine the adequacy of provision of playing pitches and to satisfy future need and demand in the area.” Borough councillors will debate the report at a meeting on Wednesday, December 17.

• Two Derbyshire MPs have pledged their support to a campaign for mandatory CCTV inside UK slaughterhouses. The campaign was launched after a three-year investigation by Animal Aid revealed widespread breaches of welfare laws. Slaughterhouse workers were filmed kicking, punching and beating animals and burning them with cigarettes. NE Derbyshire MP Natascha Engel and Bolsover MP Dennis Skinner have signed a parliamentary motion calling for mandatory CCTV to monitor working practices inside UK slaughterhouses. Kate Fowler, head of campaigns at Animal Aid, said: “We are very grateful for the support of these compassionate MPs.”

• A post office is to undergo a revamp. Newbold Post Office will need to close at 5pm on Tuesday, November 18 for the refurbishment to take place. However, the retail store will remain open. The new-look post office will launch at 1pm on Friday, November 28. Area manager Caroline Pritchard said: “This vibrant new-style post office will be at the heart of the community.”